A device for detecting network traffic content is provided. The device includes a memory configured for storing one or more signatures, each of the one or more signatures associated with content desired to be detected, and 5 defined by one or more predicates. The device a/so includes a processor configured to receive data associated with network traffic content, execute one or more instructions based on the one or more signatures and the data, and determine whether the network traffic content matches the content desired to be detected.